How Can Hospitality Workers Protect Themselves After Workplace Injuries?

Did you know that the hospitality industry is the fourth largest employment sector in Louisiana? With over 200,000 hospitality workers, not counting food service workers, this industry is actually growing (1). From slip and falls to burns and lifting injuries, the potential for harm for Louisiana’s expansive hospitality industry is on-going. Hospitality workers often face long hours, physically demanding tasks, and exposure to hazardous substances. Moreover, they may be employed on a temporary or seasonal basis, making it more challenging and somewhat intimidating to report their injury and demand justice. Hospitality workers must know their rights and options. The New Orleans personal injury attorneys at Egenberg Trial Lawyers would be happy to discuss your rights and options with you if you have concerns.

What to Know About Hospitality Workplace Injuries

The hospitality industry encompasses a range of businesses, including hotels, restaurants, bars, and event venues. Within these establishments, workers encounter various hazards that do lead to injuries. Common workplace injuries in the hospitality industry include:

• Slip and Falls: With spills, wet floors, and uneven surfaces, slip and falls are a significant risk for hospitality workers. These accidents can result in broken bones, sprains, head injuries, and more.
• Burns: Hospitality workers often come into contact with hot objects, oils, and chemicals, increasing the risk of burns. Kitchens and bars are particularly prone to burn-related injuries.
• Lifting Injuries: Housekeepers and banquet staff must perform physically demanding tasks like heavy lifting, moving large stacks of chairs, assembling and disassembling bulky dance floors, and similar tasks that can lead to muscle strains, sprains, severed digits, and herniated discs.
• Repetitive Motion: Workers who perform repetitive tasks, such as front desk clerks or servers, can develop conditions like carpal tunnel.
• Assaults: Workers in the hospitality industry sadly do face verbal or physical assaults from disgruntled patrons, posing a threat to their physical and mental well-being.

Hiring a New Orleans Personal Injury Lawyer Is Vital

After sustaining an injury, hospitality workers may face challenges in seeking financial compensation for their injuries. As New Orleans personal injury attorneys, these are some of the challenges we have seen in the hospitality industry:

• Complex Legal Framework: Workers’ compensation laws can be intricate, and sadly winning a seemingly straight-forward claim can sometimes be tricky. 
• Insurance Company Tactics: Insurance companies attempt to minimize injury claims or deny them altogether. A seasoned New Orleans personal injury attorney can help counter these tactics.
• Understanding Compensation Eligibility: Hospitality workers are usually eligible for various types of financial compensation, including medical expenses, lost wages, and disability benefits. At Egenberg Trial Lawyers, we can assess the full extent of a worker’s injuries and pursue the appropriate remedy.
• In-Depth Knowledge of Personal Injury Laws: Egenberg Trial Lawyers has in-depth knowledge of the laws and regulations specific to the hospitality industry, as well as personal injury statutes. This ensures that workers like you receive the full benefits they are legally entitled to and deserve.

Workers Comp vs. a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Workers compensation is a system designed to provide benefits to employees who have been injured due to their job. It typically covers medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. One of the main similarities between workers’ comp and a personal injury lawsuit is their focus on compensating the injured worker for their overall losses.

However, there are significant differences between the two as well. Workers comp is a no-fault system, meaning that employees are entitled to benefits regardless of who caused the accident. On the other hand, a personal injury lawsuit requires the injured worker to prove negligence on the part of their employer.

Another difference is the types of damages that can be recovered. Workers comp covers medical expenses and some lost wages, but it rarely includes pain and suffering. In a personal injury lawsuit, the injured worker can pursue compensation for not only economic losses but also non-economic damages like mental anguish, stress, sleepless nights, depression, anxiety, and nightmares.

Steps to Protect Yourself After a Workplace Injury

If you are a hospitality worker who has been injured on the job, these are the steps we recommend, as New Orleans personal injury attorneys, that you take to protect your rights and improve your chances of getting compensated:

• Report the Injury: Notify your supervisor or manager immediately after the accident. Be sure to document the incident in writing and keep a copy for your records.
• See a Doctor: Even if the injuries seem minor, it is crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries may present delayed symptoms, and prompt medical treatment can support your claim for compensation.
• Document Everything: Keep detailed records of your injuries, medical treatment, and any expenses related to your injury. This documentation will be essential when seeking compensation.
• Talk to a Workers Comp or a Personal Injury Attorney: Contact Egenberg Trial Lawyers so we can answer your questions, assess your case, explain your rights, and guide you through the legal process.
• Preparing Your Case: Work closely with us to gather all necessary documentation, including medical records, witness statements, and other pertinent evidence.
• Negotiate a Just Settlement: As your attorney, we will advocate on your behalf during the negotiation process, aiming to secure a fair settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and any other applicable damages.
• Litigation, If Necessary: In the event that a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to court as a last resort.

Contact a New Orleans Personal Injury Attorney Now!

If you are a hospitality worker in Louisiana who has been injured on the job, the New Orleans personal injury attorneys at Egenberg Trial Lawyers can provide the steadfast legal representation and support you need. Our team of experienced, caring, and whip smart attorneys understands the nuances of workplace injuries in the hospitality industry and the unique hurdles faced by workers in this field. We fight to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and financial losses. To set up a free, no-pressure legal consultation and case review, don’t hesitate to contact our office today.